Daily Medical Records

The most common symptom of cancer of the uterus and cervix is abnormal vaginal bleeding. At first, this bleeding is a very watery fluid in which the amount of blood will be higher.

Be careful not to confuse it with the onset of menopause, should coincide with this period of life. Other signs are pain during sex or urination, or a general discomfort in the pelvic area.

The problem of ovarian cancer is that these symptoms come too late, so when it is detected, the disease is already at a very advanced and very difficult to solve.

Among the most used techniques to detect cancers of the female reproductive tract include:

* The pelvic examination: the doctor is done manually and includes the uterus, vagina, ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder and rectum. In the event that it detected an anomaly in the shape or size of these bodies would be to use imaging techniques such as ultrasound.

* According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, it is advisable to combine the Pap smear with a test for human papillomavirus, and that 93% of women with cancer of the cervix are infected with this virus. There is also a vaccine that has shown positive results when it comes to protecting women from contracting it. Doctors recommend getting vaccinated before starting a sexual activity.

* In the cancer and uterine cervix using a special method called the Pap test or Pap. This test, which is painless, is performed to detect changes in the cervix. It is not a diagnostic test, such as a biopsy, and that under no circumstances alone to exclude the diagnosis of cancer.

The first cytology Pap test should be done at 3 years of initiating vaginal intercourse, and if in doubt, never later than age 21. The periodic test should be annual, except in the case of employing the latest generations of ‘tests’, much more accurate and allowing only one evaluation every two years. The ideal time to take the test is 10 to 20 days after the first day of rule.

* If the test is positive, will be repeated and carried out other tests such as biopsy, for which anesthesia is used. This is to remove tissue from the area in which it is suspected that cancer is a pathologist for analysis. This detection technique is used for three types of cancer.

* Other tests include barium enema, scanners, X-rays and a long list that is given by the type and stage of cancer.